High time to go global latest!

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MEDIA BRIEFING: (From left) Noor Azian and Suresh deliver updates on InTrade Malaysia 2011 to the media at Matrade state office here.

Matrade urges local SMEs to grab opportunity through InTrade M’sia 2011

 

KUCHING:  Participation of local companies, especially those within the small and medium enterprise (SME) bracket is worryingly lacking for the upcoming International Trade Malaysia (InTrade Malaysia) 2011 trade show.

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) disclosed this during an update briefing to the media on the trade show at its state head office here today.

“The response appears to be lacking towards InTrade Malaysia 2011 amongst our local SMEs where last year, we only had two Sarawakian companies participating in the event. This was far different from 2008 where we had nine companies from the state,” disclosed the state’s Matrade director Noor Azian Romlan to reporters.

When asked on reasons for such lacklustre response, the newly-appointed Noor Azian outlined that it was likely due to lack of exposure and understanding amongst local SMEs.

“However, we have yet to determine what the real factor is, as lack of exposure was not an issue back in 2008. Moreover, we get really good response for other international trade shows conducted by Matrade. We would want to have more participation for InTrade Malaysia from Sarawakian SMEs this year, as I believe the state has much to offer to international buyers that we’ve brought for the trade show this time around.

“We understand that there are many local companies here that are doing exports, but it’s high time that more will come and showcase their offerings via a viable platform such as InTrade Malaysia,” she stressed.

InTrade Malaysia, entering its fifth edition this year, recorded a participation of 342 companies from 77 countries and a count of 8,400 trade visitors – an encouraging increase from 6,900 visitors in 2009. The event also saw the conduct of 7,265 business meetings that grossed about RM4.2 billion in reported potential sales trade.

InTrade Malaysia’s advertising and communications director Suresh Kumar Rajadurai said for this year, the event could expect to host 10,000 trade visitors taking tour around more than 400 exhibition booths.

“Apart from this, we also have five national pavillions over 9,000 square metres of exhibition space,” he said, adding that the event should rake in more than it had achieved last year, in terms of potential sales.

“It has also reached its objective of becoming a true global trade show, where the allocation for foreign participation had increased to 47.2 per cent against 29 per cent in 2010.”

Rajadurai also pointed out that InTrade Malaysia would highlight 10 industry clusters this year encompassing automotive; electrical and electronics; food and beverage; furniture and interiors; gifts, souvenirs, handivraft and jewelleries; health, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care; information and communications technology; machinery and equipment; professional and business services; as well as wood products.

He said such industries were chosen due to their relevance to the nation’s economy and value to export figures, where these clusters contributed RM476 billion to the country’s export trade statistics, or some 75 per cent of last year’s total exports valued at RM639 billion.

“Based on these clusters, there are highly potential segments such as food and beverage that many Sarawakian SMEs can tap into. We’d like to see more ‘kek lapis’ (signature layer cakes) to be on offering for InTrade Malaysia 2011, where the product itself has the potential to enter niche export markets.

“All these figures make compelling reasons for Sarawak-based manufacturers and service providers to participate in InTrade 2011 and expand their businesses in the international market. But Sarawakian SMEs themselves should come and explore these possibilities.

“We have Matrade bringing in these international buyers to Kuala Lumpur, without the SMEs having to go abroad. We may have the official website at ww.intrademalaysia.my, but it would be easier and more informative for the companies to come and see Matrade here,” he underlined.

He also urged more local SMEs to register with Matrade as there would be many benefits that came by association with the agency.

“Matrade members are entitled to the special rate of RM4,800 per booth, valid until this August 31. As such, we encourage SMEs here to take advantage of the opportunities on offer and sign up for the trade show,” he underscored.

InTrade Malaysia 2011 will be held this November 22 to 24 at Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Organised by Matrade with the support from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the trade show would also be hosting a concurrent event, the Kuala Lumpur International Trade Forum, slated towards bringing together industry experts and exhibition participants to discuss relevant issues on international trade.